Hinny, A Beginning (BOOK 1 OF HINNY THROUGH THE YEARS)

Slug Club Christmas Party

I don't own any of the characters. All credit goes to the Epic J.K. Rowling of course and always.

Ginny

"Hermoine?" I called, trying the first classroom in the deserted corridor outside.

She was sitting on a table in the front row with birds flying on top of her head.

"Hermoine, you alright?" I muttered lowly, reaching her and sitting beside her on the table.

"I was just practicing." She cleared her face, but to no successful attempt.

"They're very good." I was genuinely impressed by her spellwork. I felt those tears stinging my eyes too and just for this once, I let them fall.

"Ron's enjoying the party." She spoke.

"Um, i didn't-" I sniffed.

"Why are you crying?" Hermione inhaled a staggering breath, looking at me. I released a chuckling breath, looking at her.

"I... well... I'm just crying because you are."

"Stop. I know..." Her voice grew heavy, "How- how did it feel-" she spoke through rivers of tears, running down her cheeks, "-when you saw Harry with Romilda?" I gulped loudly and looked at my feet. Giving a nervous chuckle, I tried to answer but she stopped me.

"I know. I've seen the way you look at him." She sniffed, "You're my best friend."

"I just thought something was happening y'know. He was flirty and nice and it was different. Maybe i just read things wrong." I shook my head, wiping tears away.

"Both of us did." Hermione held my hand and we squeezed together.

Just then, the door burst open behind us and we turned to find Ron pulling in Lavender behind him. He stopped when he saw us.

"Oops." Lavender giggled, running out and shutting the door behind her.

"I wondered where you went." Ron ignored Hermoine's gaze, who got off the table and stared at him.

"You shouldn't keep Lavender waiting outside. She'll wonder where you've gone." She merely whispered and walked past him to the door.

"Hermoine?" We turned to watch her leave. I jumped off the desk to walk to her and just when we thought that nothing went wrong, Hermoine turned with a yell.

"Oppugno." And the birds flew right at Ron, sliding little cuts on his arms. As he fought to get them off, I watched Hermoine run out the door, with a sob that echoed.

"It feels like this." I muttered to myself.

I looked at Ron and then Harry came in the door, staring back and then ahead. Romilda at his arm. Oh, I wish I had rocks to throw at his stupid head!

"What..." Harry's eyes widened but I pushed past them and ran after Hermione.

Leaving Ron with Lavender and Harry with Romilda, I headed back for the Common room and found Hermoine sitting alone by the chair. She was sipping at her Butterbeer.

When I reached her, Hermoine looked away tensed and sad. She got up.

"I'm going to bed." She whispered and ran for the dormitories.

"My brother's an idiot." I sipped at her drink, standing beside the fireplace.

I sat there for a while, enjoying the butterbeer, just letting it take me in. I was tired but hungry and soon it was going to be dinner hour.